Kitts: I was told to break my neck if needed to make sure Hillsin lost The disciplinary hearing into the controversial Worcester ride of Hillsin in 2023 has continued, with jockey Dylan Kitts giving detailed evidence about the circumstances surrounding the race. Kitts admits to deliberately stopping Hillsin Jockey Dylan Kitts told the British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel that he was instructed to prevent Hillsin from winning at Worcester in July 2023, even if he “broke (his) neck in the process.” Kitts admitted he deliberately stopped the horse in the Wacky Weekender Festival Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle, but claimed the order came from John Higgins, an associate of Hillsin’s owner, Alan Clegg. Higgins is the father-in-law of footballer Ashley Barnes and has been placed on the BHA exclusion list alongside Barnes for failing to cooperate with the investigation. Under cross-examination, Kitts recalled: “He said under no circumstances was the horse to win, and if I broke my neck in the process then so be it. As a young adult in a man’s world, I found it very intimidating.” Kitts described the fallout as “life changing” and accepted responsibility: “I know what I did was wrong, I neglected my role as a jockey, but I believe all parties on all sides are guilty. There are no innocent people here.” Trainer Honour set to give evidence Trainer Chris Honour and John Higgins both deny charges of conspiring to commit a corrupt practice. Honour also faces allegations of encouraging Kitts to stop the horse, failing to provide proper instructions, and misleading the stewards after the race. Kitts alleged that when scrutiny arose, Higgins told him to “just hang Chris and you will be fine,” implying Honour should take the blame. Roderick Moore, representing Honour, will present his case on Wednesday, after which Kitts will have the opportunity to question the trainer.
